How does one start a citizen’s initiative?

Here’s my idea for an amendment to the Constitution:

“Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators or Representatives, and Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States.”

This amendment would mean that all of our elected officials would have the same retirement benefits and medical benefits as their constituents. I think that would be a good thing.

Also, they would not be eligible for these benefits until they were at least 62 years old, not as soon as they retire.

If these elected officials wanted other benefits, which they currently receive either at no cost or minimal cost, they would have to pay for them out of pocket, at the same rate their constituents have to pay.

2013 is a great new year for us to start to take back our country.

Our politicians were elected by the citizens, yet somehow when they arrived in Washington for their political duties, they became power-hungry and benefits-hungry, at the expense of their constituents. This self-entitlement must stop.

I think we should get the ball rolling with a citizen’s initiative and then tell our elected officials that, if they do not get on board with this amendment, their days as elected politicians are numbered. We will not re-elect them.

I realize our country is in dire need of help and it will require the working together of all of the elected officials no matter their party affiliation.

This legislation would only be a drop in the bucket to help our country get back on its feet. One has to start somewhere.

Linda Carlson, Canaan